Talking with Parents: Qualitative Analysis of the Challenges of Parenting Children of Different Ages

Abstract

Parenting is a very responsible and demanding life role that
takes place in the context of various social changes. The
dynamics of the modern family, parents' expectations and
aspirations, changes in perceptions of the nature of children
and parental authority, rapid technological development,
and availability of various information on positive parenting
present just some of the factors that can shape subjective
parenting. Research that focuses on parents, specifically
qualitative studies focused on the subjective experiences and
concerns of parents of children of different ages are very
rare in Croatia. This paper presents the results of a
qualitative research that aimed to explore the personal
experiences and challenges of parents of children of different
ages – parents of children in early and late childhood,
adolescence, and children in emerging adulthood.
Qualitative research was conducted in different regions of
Croatia and a total of 103 parents (90 mothers and 13
fathers) participated in 16 focus groups. Results include
detailed analysis of research topics, with the categorisation
of personal experiences and challenges of parents of
children of different ages.